Shelter barrier member

ABSTRACT

According to a first embodiment of the present invention there is disclosed an apparatus for forming a shelter comprising a pair of parallel spaced apart beams, a flexible barrier sheet extending between the pair of beams and at least two braces extending between the beams. Each of the braces are foldable along a plane defined by an adjacent portion of the pair or beams and may be formed of first and second elongate members substantially similar lengths pivotally connected to each other which are foldable to be substantially parallel to the beams in a first position and substantially perpendicular to the beams in a second position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 13/137,642filed Aug. 31, 2011 entitled Barrier Shelter Member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shelters in general and in particular arapidly erectable modular shelter.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

In many industries it is frequently necessary to set up temporarystructures for sheltering people and objects from adverse weather andthe like. Such shelters may be necessary for protection from wind, rain,snow or the like. In other situations, it is necessary to provideprivacy around a zone or region. Often such structures or shelters arerequired in remote or different locations and therefore required to beeasily transported and set up at such locations.

Previous attempts have been made to provide a portable shelter. Howeversuch attempts have not been adequately portable while providingsufficient protection from adverse weather or unwanted viewing. Inparticular, some previous shelters have attempted to provide a pluralityof rigid or preformed panels which may be lengthwise connected to eachother to from a continuous barrier. Such panels are disadvantageouslydesigned to retain their full size when in storage or transportation andmay therefore be difficult to transport or store. Examples of suchpanels may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,789 to Steiner et al. and No.4,838,525 to Snow et al.

Further attempts to solve the present difficulties has been to provide acontinuous sheet of material having a plurality of poles and stakesspaced therealong such that the material may be unrolled and thereafterthe stakes secured within the ground to form the material into anupright barrier. Examples of such devices may be found in U.S. Pat. No.2,771,008 to Soldan, No. 3,537,688 to Stein, No. 4,576,364 to O'Fearnaand No. 5,937,883 to Camara. Disadvantageously, such devices require asoft ground to insert the stakes into and are therefore unsuitable forhard surfaces such as pavement and the like. Additionally, such deviceshave a fixed length due to the continuous sheet of material and may alsotherefore be difficult to adapt or install for uses requiring differinglengths.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first embodiment of the present invention there isdisclosed an apparatus for forming a shelter comprising a pair ofparallel spaced apart beams, a flexible barrier sheet extending betweenthe pair of beams and at least two braces extending between the beams.Each of the braces are foldable along a plane defined by an adjacentportion of the pair or beams.

The braces comprise foldable braces may be formed of first and secondelongate members pivotally connected to each other. The braces maycomprise foldable braces formed of first and second elongate memberspivotally connected to each other at a pivot. The first and secondelongate members may have substantially similar lengths. The first andsecond elongate members may be foldable to be substantially parallel tothe beams in a first position and substantially perpendicular to thebeams in a second position. The first and second elongate members may besubstantially coaxial in the second position. The first and secondelongate members may be substantially parallel to each other in thesecond position. The first and second elongate members may be lengthwiseand rotatable lockable to each in the second position. The braces may befoldable along a plane defined by an adjacent portion of the pair orbeams. The apparatus may further comprise end braces located adjacent toeach end of the beams.

Each brace may include a sleeve slidably located along the one of thefirst or second elongate members having a pin sized to be slidablylocated in a free end of the other of the first or second elongatemembers in the second position. Each brace may be foldable along a planedefined by an adjacent portion of the pair or beams.

Each beam may comprise at least two beam portions having a bendtherebetween. The apparatus may further comprise a brace locatedproximate to the bend. The first and second elongate members may beconnected to the beams by pivoting connectors comprising first andsecond sleeves each sized to surround one of the beam or the brace,wherein one of the first and second sleeves includes a locking plateextending therefrom and being pivotally supported between a pair ofbrace plates extending from the other of the first or second sleeves.The brace plates may support a locking pin therethrough, the locking pinslidable through bores in the brace plates and engagable within one of aplurality of notches around a peripheral edge of the locking plate. Thelocking plate may be pivotally supported by the brace plates by a pivotpin distally located from the first and second sleeves so as to permitthe first and second sleeves to be axially aligned. One of the first orsecond sleeve may include a catch adapted to engage upon a ridge locatedon the other of the first or second sleeves when the first and secondsleeves are axially aligned.

The beams may comprise L-shaped beams. The L-shaped beams may have along portion and a short portion. The long and short portions may beperpendicular to each other. The apparatus may further comprise a bracelocated at a junction of the long and short portions. The beams maycomprise U-shaped beams having a pair of spaced apart short portionswith a long portion extending therebetween. The apparatus may furthercomprise a brace located at a junction of the long and short portions.

The flexible barrier sheet may be formed of a material selected from thegroup consisting of fabric, rubber, plastic, mesh or rubberized fabric.The flexible barrier may extend between the end braces

The sheet may include a first connection member located adjacent to afirst end brace and a second connection member, connectable to the firstconnection member and located adjacent to a second opposed end bracesuch that adjacent apparatuses are connectable to each other. The firstand connection members may comprise hook and loop fasteners.

The flexible barrier may include an extended planar portion extendingfrom one of the pair of parallel beams sized extend from a bottom of theapparatus when in a vertical orientation and to receive a weightedobject thereon for stabilizing the apparatus.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparentto those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the followingdescription of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction withthe accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention whereinsimilar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for forming a barrieraccording to a first embodiment of the present invention in an erectedposition.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a partiallyfolded or stored position.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a center pivot for the braces of theapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a detailed exploded view of the end connections of the bracesand top and bottom beams of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of two of the apparatuses of FIG. 1connected together to form a barrier.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of an apparatus for forming a barrieraccording to a further embodiment of the present invention in an erectedposition.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an apparatus for forming a barrieraccording to a further embodiment of the present invention in an erectedposition.

FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of a hinge for use in the presentapparatus in an angular orientation.

FIG. 9 a is a cross sectional view of the hinge of FIG. 8 at a foldedorientation.

FIG. 9 b is a cross sectional view of the hinge of FIG. 8 at a straightorientation.

FIG. 10 is a detailed perspective view of an upright lock for use in thepresent apparatus at an unlocked configuration.

FIG. 11 is a detailed side view of the upright lock of FIG. 10 at alocked configuration.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a shelter formed of two of theapparatuses according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an apparatus according to a first embodimentof the invention is shown generally at 10. The apparatus 10 forms onepanel of a modular barrier which may be located around a space asdesired by a user. The apparatus comprises top and bottom spaced apartbeams, 12 and 14, respectively having at least two braces 40 and 42extending therebetween and supporting a flexible barrier sheet 70thereover.

The top and bottom beams 12 and 14 have shapes corresponding to eachother and are parallel and spaced apart and comprise rigid elongatemembers which as illustrated, may comprise tubular members although itwill be appreciated that other shapes may be useful as well. Asillustrated, in one embodiment of the present invention, the top andbottom beams 12 and 14 may be L-shaped members having a short portion 18and a long portion 16 with a bend 20 therebetween although it will beappreciated that other shapes may be useful as well, such as by way ofnon-limiting example U-shaped or arcuate. As illustrated, the top andbottom beams 12 and 14 may have a bend 20 therein having a bend angle,generally indicated at 22, of approximately 90 degrees although it willbe appreciated that other bend angles may be utilized as well. By way ofnon-limiting example angles of greater than 90 degrees may be utilizedwith the apparatus 10 positioned with the short portion 18 above thelong portion 16 so as to form a shelter with an angled roof.Additionally more than one apparatus may be connected to each other in asimilar manner as illustrated in FIG. 12. The long and short portions 16and 18 may have any lengths desired by the user depending upon thedesired application. By way of non-limiting example, it has been foundthat a length for the long portion of between 38 and 78 inches (965 mmand 1981 mm) and a length for the short portion of between 12 and 42inches (305and 1067 mm) has been useful although it will be appreciatedthat other lengths may be useful as well. As illustrated in FIG. 1, thelong portions 16 of the top and bottom beams 12 and 14 define a firstplane generally indicated at 17 and the short portions 18 of the top andbottom beams 12 and 14 define a second plane generally indicated at 19.

The top and bottom beams 12 and 14 may be formed of any suitablematerial, such as by way of non-limiting example, aluminium, steel,stainless steel, copper, plastic, and composite materials. The thicknessof the top and bottom beams 12 and 14 should also be selected to havesufficient strength to support the barrier sheet as described below asmay be determined by known methods. By way of non limiting example, ithas been found that for use with aluminium tubing having a tubingdiameter of between ½ and 1 inch (12 and 25 mm) for the top and bottombeams, a tube wall thickness of between 1/32 and ⅛ inches (0.8 and 3 mm)may be useful although it will be appreciated that any other suitablematerial, thickness and diameter may be useful as well

The top and bottom beams 12 and 14 include a plurality of end and middlebrackets 24 and 26. The end brackets 24 are located at the ends of thetop and bottom beams 12 and 14 and are adapted to pivotally support endbraces therefrom as will be more fully described below. The middlebracket 26 is located adjacent to the bend 20 and is adapted topivotally support a middle brace therefrom as will be more fullydescribed below.

The braces may be end braces 40 or middle braces 42 as illustrated. Itwill be appreciated that in some embodiments, the apparatus may utilizetwo end braces 40 only, such as by way of non-limiting example forstraight top and bottom beams, where as in other embodiments, one ormore middle brace 42 may also be utilized to provide additional supportto the apparatus, such as, by way of non-limiting example, L-shaped orU-shaped top and bottom beams 12 and 14. Each brace 40 or 42 has asimilar construction and is formed of first and second elongate bars ormembers, 44 and 46, respectively. The first and second elongate membersare pivotally connected to each other by a pivot connection 48 andinclude a locking pin 50 proximate thereto. The first and secondelongate members have a substantially similar length to each otherwherein the pivot connection 48 is located approximately half waybetween the top and bottom beams 12 and 14. The first and secondelongate members 44 and 46 are positionable in a first or erectedposition as illustrated in FIG. 1 or in a second or folded positionwherein the first and second elongate members 44 and 46 are locatedproximate to each other for ease of storage and transportation. Theapparatus is illustrated in FIG. 2 in a partially folded positionwherein the apparatus may be further folded by moving the top beam 12 ina downward direction as indicated at 52. Each of the braces 40 or 42includes an end connector 60 at each distal end of the first and secondelongate members 44 and 46. The end connector 60 are adapted to bepivotally received in and supported by the end or middle braces 24 or 26of the top or bottom beams 12 and 14 as will be more fully describedbelow.

The braces 40 and 42 may have any length as desired by a user dependingupon the desired height of the barrier formed thereby. In particular, ithas been found that a length of between 36 and 84 inches (914 and 2133mm) has been useful. The braces may be formed of any suitable material,such as by way of non-limiting example, aluminium, steel, stainlesssteel, copper, plastic, and composite materials. The thickness of thebraces 40 and 42 should also be selected to have sufficient strength tosupport the top beam 12 and barrier sheet 70 as described below as maybe determined by known methods. By way of non limiting example, it hasbeen found that for use with aluminium tubing having a tubing diameterof between ½ and 1 inch (12 and 25 mm), a tube wall thickness of between1/32 and ⅛ inches (0.8 and 3 mm) may be useful although it will beappreciated that any other suitable material, thickness and diameter maybe useful as well

Turning now to FIG. 3, a detailed view of the first and second elongatemembers 44 and 46 are selectably lockable relative to each other in thefirst or upright position as illustrated in FIG. 1 by a locking pin 50.The locking pin may comprise a pin 56 slidably received with in a bore51 of the first elongate member 44. The second elongate member 46includes a receiving bore 54 sized to receive the pin 56 therein whenthe first and second elongate members 44 and 46 are aligned with eachother. The pin 56 may be biased within the bore 51 towards the receivingbore 54 and may also include a ring 58 or other grasping means for auser to hold and pull the pin 56 out of engagement with the receivingbore 54.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a detailed exploded view of a connection betweena bottom end bracket 24 and an end connector 60 of a second elongatemember 44 of an end brace 40 is illustrated. It will be appreciated thatsimilar connections may also be provided between the top beam and thebraces as well as at the ends of any middle braces 42. The end bracket24 comprises a tubular member 25 having a bore 27 therein adapted toextend around and receive an end of the bottom beam 14 therein. The endbracket 24 includes a pair of parallel spaced apart upright plates 28extending therefrom having a space, generally indicated at 30therebetween. Each upright plate 28 includes a transverse bore 32extending therethrough. The end connector 60 comprises a tubular member62 having a bore 64 therein adapted to extend around and receive an endof second elongate member 46 therein. The end connector 60 includes anaxial plate 66 extending axially therefrom having a transverse bore 68extending therethrough. The axial plate 66 may be located within thespace 30 between the upright plates 28 and a screw 34 or other suitablefastener passed through the transverse bores 32 and 68 to pivotallyconnect the end bracket 24 to the end connector 60. Thereafter a nut 36may also be secured to the distal end of the screw 34 to retain itwithin the transverse bores 32 and 68.

The flexible barrier sheet 70 comprises a sheet of material sized toextend between and be supported by the top and bottom beams when thebraces are secured in the upright position as illustrated in FIG. 1. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the barrier sheet 70 comprises a planarsheet of material extending between top and bottom edges, 72 and 74,respectively, and first and second sides, 76 and 78, respectively. Thetop edge 72 includes a top flap 80 adapted to extend around the top beam12 and be secured to the main portion of the barrier sheet 70 bystitching, adhesives or the like. The bottom edge 74 includes a bottomflap 82 adapted to extend around the bottom beam 14 and be secured tothe main portion of the barrier sheet 70 by stitching, adhesives or thelike. Optionally, the first and second sides 76 and 78 may include firstand second side flaps, 84 and 86, respectively adapted to overlay theend braces 44 and be secured to the main portion of the barrier sheet 70by stitching, adhesives or the like. The barrier sheet 70 may be formedof any suitable material, such as by way of non-limiting example,textile, fabric, plastic sheeting, mesh or rubber. In particular, it hasbeen found in practice that nylon canvas having a 200 to 100 threadcount is particularly useful.

With reference to FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated. Optionally, the apparatus 10 may include firstand second connection members, 90 and 92, respectively, located alongthe first and second sides 76 and 78 of the barrier sheet 70 so as topermit a first side of one apparatus to be coupled to a second side ofan adjacent apparatus and thereby to form a barrier of a plurality ofapparatuses 10. By way of non-limiting example, one of the first orsecond connection members 90 or 92 may comprise a sheet of the hookportion of hook and loop fasteners and the other of the first or secondconnection members may comprise the loop portion of the hook and loopfasteners. Additionally, the apparatus 10 may include one or more a flap94 extending from a bottom portion of the apparatus for receiving aweighted object, such as a sandbag or the like thereon to provideadditional stability to the apparatus in an upright position.

With reference to FIG. 6, an optional embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated having a U-shaped cross-section. In such anembodiment, a further top brace 100 may be provided extending betweenthe distal ends of the short portions 18 of the top beam 12. A furthertop sheet member 102 may also be extended across the top beam 12 and thetop brace 100 to form a roof on the apparatus. It will also beappreciated that such an apparatus may be rotated 90 degrees such thatthe end braces 40 are located proximate to and parallel with the groundor other surface to provide a shelter having an open end with a reducedheight.

In operation, the apparatus 10 may be transported to a desired locationin a stored or folded position. The user may then grasp the top beam 12and lift it in an upward direction away from the bottom beam 14 so as torotate the elongate members 44 and 46 about their pivot connection withthe end and middle brackets 24 and 26 as well as relative to each otherabout their center pivot 48 until the elongate members 44 and 46 aresubstantially aligned along their axis. The user may then align thelocking pin 50 with the receiving bore 54 and insert it therein so as tolock the first and second elongate members 44 and 46 to retain theapparatus in the erected position. Optionally, the user may connect aplurality of apparatuses together by connecting the hook portion of oneconnector to a loop portion of an adjacent apparatus to form a barrier.Optionally, the user may also locate a weighted object upon the flap 94so as to assist the barrier in maintaining an upright position. Totransport and store the apparatus, the above procedure may be reversedby removing the weighted object, separating the hook and loop fastenersfrom adjacent apparatuses and then pulling the locking pins 50 out ofthe receiving bores to permit the braces to be collapsed.

Turning now to FIG. 7, an apparatus according to an alternativeembodiment is illustrated generally at 120 having pivoting connectors122 and locking connectors 150. With reference to FIG. 8, the pivotingconnectors 122 may comprise first and second sleeves, 124 and 126,respectively. The first and second sleeves 124 and 126 each include acentral bores, 125 and 127, respectively therethrough sized to receiveone of the beams 12 or 14 or braces 40 or 42, as set out above therein.The beams or braces may also thereafter be secured within the centralbores 125 or 127 by a pin, rivet or other suitable fastener. Asillustrated, the apparatus 120 may include pivoting connectors at theends of the braces 40 or 42 as well as between the short and longportions of the beams 12 and 14 and also at a midpoint of one of theshort or long beams 12 and 14 so as to facilitate ease of folding of theapparatus. As illustrated, the middle brace 42 is illustrated as beingproximate to the bend and may be located to either side of the bendwhich may optionally be formed by a pivoting connector 122.

The first sleeve 124 includes a pair of parallel spaced apart braceplates 128 extending from and the second sleeve 126 includes a lockingplate 130 extending therefrom. The locking plate 130 is located betweenthe brace plates and pivotally connected thereto by a pivot pin 132. Alocking pin 134 extends through a bore in the brace plates 128 to engagewith and lock the locking plate 130 relative thereto as will be morefully described below. Optionally, the first sleeve 124 may include araised portion 136 adapted to be engaged by a ridge 138 on an catchplate 140 extending from the second sleeve 126 so as to permit the firstand second sleeves to be axially secured thereto as illustrated in FIG.9 b.

With reference to FIGS. 9 a and 9 b, the locking plate includes aplurality of notches 142 therein arranged radially around the pivot pin132. The notches 142 are sized and located so as to correspond to theposition and size of the locking pin 134 such that the locking pin isoperable to fix the rotation of the first and second sleeves 124 and 126relative to each other. As illustrated, the locking plate 130 mayinclude a plurality of notches 142 at different locations therearoundlocated to permit the first and second sleeves 124 and 126 to be securedto each other at a plurality of orientations, such as, by way ofnon-limiting example, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees or 180degrees. It will be appreciated that other angles may be useful as well.In operation, the locking pin 134 may be removed to permit free rotationof the first and second sleeves 124 and 126 and thereafter reinserted atthe desired angle to thereafter fix the angular orientation thereof.Further, the ridge 138 may be engaged upon the raised portion 136 toaxially lock the first and second sleeves. To release the first andsecond plates relative to each other from an axially alignment, a usermay lift the catch plate 140 to disengage the ridge 138 from the raisedportion.

Turning now to FIG. 10, the locking connector 150 is illustratedslidably located about the first elongate member 44. The lockingconnector 150 comprises a sleeve 150 having a central bore therethroughand extending between top and bottom ends, 154 and 156, respectively.the locking connector further includes a plate 158 located at the topend 154 and a pin 160 extending in a generally downward directiontherefrom. The sleeve 152 is sized to slidably surround the firstelongate member 44 and the pin 160 is sized to be received within acentral bore 45 of the second elongate member 46. When the first andsecond elongate members 44 and 46 are rotated into alignment with eachother as illustrated in FIG. 11, the locking connector 150 is permittedto slide in a generally downward direction, indicated at 170 so as toinsert the pin 160 into the central bore 45 of the second elongatemember 46 thereby preventing further rotation of the first and secondelongate members relative to each other about the pivot connection 48.To release the first and second elongate members 44 and 46 relative toeach other, the locking connector 150 may be lifted in a directionopposite to that indicated at 170 so as to remove the pin 160 from thecentral bore 45 of the second elongate member to thereafter permit freerotation between the first and second elongate members.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described andillustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of theinvention only and not as limiting the invention as construed inaccordance with the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for forming a shelter comprising: apair of parallel spaced apart beams; a flexible barrier sheet extendingbetween said pair of beams; and at least two braces extending betweensaid beams, each of said braces being foldable along a plane defined byan adjacent portion of said pair or beams.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said braces comprise foldable braces formed of first and secondelongate members pivotally connected to each other at a pivot.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein said first and second elongate members arefoldable about said pivot so as to be substantially parallel to saidbeams in a first position and substantially perpendicular to said beamsin a second position.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first andsecond elongate members are substantially parallel to each other in saidsecond position.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first andsecond elongate members are lengthwise and rotatably lockable to each insaid second position.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said braceincludes a sleeve slidably located along said one of said first orsecond elongate members having a pin sized to be slidably located in afree end of the other of said first or second elongate members in saidsecond position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said braces arefoldable along a plane defined by an adjacent portion of said pair orbeams.
 8. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising end braces locatedadjacent to each end of said beams.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid beams comprise at least two beam portions having a bendtherebetween.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a bracelocated proximate to said bend.
 11. The apparatus of claim 2 whereinsaid first and second elongate members are connected to said beams bypivoting connectors comprising first and second sleeves each sized tosurround one of said beam or said brace, wherein one of said first andsecond sleeves includes a locking plate extending therefrom and beingpivotally supported between a pair of brace plates extending from theother of said first or second sleeves.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11wherein said brace plates support a locking pin therethrough, saidlocking pin slidable through bores in said brace plates and engagablewithin one of a plurality of notches around a peripheral edge of saidlocking plate.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said locking plateis pivotally supported by said brace plates by a pivot pin distallylocated from said first and second sleeves so as to permit said firstand second sleeves to be axially aligned.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13wherein said one of said first or second sleeve includes a catch adaptedto engage upon a ridge located on the other of said first or secondsleeves when said first and second sleeves are axially aligned.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible barrier sheet is formed of amaterial selected from the group consisting of fabric, rubber, plastic,mesh or rubberized fabric.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidflexible barrier extends between said end braces
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16 wherein said sheet includes a first connection member locatedadjacent to a first end brace and a second connection member,connectable to said first connection member and located adjacent to asecond opposed end brace such that adjacent apparatuses are connectableto each other.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said first andconnection members comprise hook and loop fasteners.
 19. The apparatusof claim 16 wherein said flexible barrier includes an extended planarportion extending from one of said pair of parallel beams sized extendfrom a bottom of said apparatus when in a vertical orientation and toreceive a weighted object thereon for stabilizing said apparatus.